School of Education

School of Education

​Alternative Education Certification

Take two graduate courses to add on certification in Alternative Education.

What is alternative education? Wisconsin Department of Instruction provides the following definition:

An alternative education program is defined under 115.28 (7) (e), Wis. Stats., as "an instructional program, approved by the school board, that utilizes successful alternative or adaptive school structures and teaching techniques and that is incorporated into existing, traditional classrooms or regularly scheduled curricular programs or that is offered in place of regularly scheduled curricular programs. Alternative education program does not include a private school or a home-based private educational program."

For children at risk of not graduating from high school, an alternative school is defined as "a public school that has at least 30 pupils and no more than 250 pupils, has a separate administrator or teacher in charge of the school and offers a nontraditional curriculum" [118.153 (5) (a) 1., Stats.].

Purpose of the program: This program is for any licensed teacher who is interested in learning more about the psychology and education of students with alternative education needs. This program also addresses intervention and how to identify and nurture learning in every socio-economic and cultural group. This license, #952 Alternative Education, Developmental Range EA-A, is supplementary to teachers' initial license..

Structure of the program: The courses will either be hybrid or online. The 6-credit sequence begins with a 3-credit foundations course followed by a 3-credit curriculum and practicum course. The practicum required must be completed in a setting considered to be an "alternative education program" as defined in Wis. Stats. 115.28 (7)(e)(1). The courses must be taken in order, i.e., Education 786 is completed prior to Education 787. The sequence of courses is as follows:

Alternative education certification courses may be incorporated into the Master of Science in Education - General Degree. For information about a Master of Science in Education please contact Lori Yonash in the School of Education Graduate Advising Office 715-346-4403.

For more information about the Alternative Education program please contact Prof. Pamela Bork, 715-346-2354.